Efficacy of marbofloxacin against respiratory infections of lambs

J. Skoufos, G. Christodoulopoulos, I. A. Fragkou, A. Tzora, D. A. Gougoulis, D. C. Orfanou, K. Tsiolaki, G. C. Fthenakis

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15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The trial was carried out in a sheep flock with mixed Mannheimia haemolytica/Mycoplasma spp. respiratory infection; 60 lambs were included therein and allocated as follows: lambs in group MH were subcutaneously injected with marbofloxacin (3.0 mg/kg bodyweight) on two occasions, once daily 2 days apart - lambs in group ML3 were given marbofloxacin (2.0 mg/kg) on three occasion, once daily for three consecutive days - lambs in group ML2 were given marbofloxacin (2.0 mg/kg) on two occasions, 2 days apart - lambs in group T were subcutaneously injected with tilmicosin (15 mg/kg) on two occasions, 4 days apart - lambs in group C were untreated controls. The lambs were monitored before and after treatment and the clinical findings were scored; they were euthanatised 42 days after treatment for pathological examination of the lungs. Groups were similar at the start of a field trial with respect to all parameters (general clinical condition, presence of nasal discharge, presence of ophthalmic discharge, results of lung auscultation) evaluated (P > 0.05). After treatment, no systemic or local adverse reactions were observed in any lamb. Forty-two days after treatment, the median general clinical assessment score of groups MH, ML3 and T was 0, that of group ML2 was 1 and that of group C lambs was 2 (P < 0.01). Treatment with marbofloxacin was associated with improved clinical scores; the results were similar for all evaluations 14 days after treatment and subsequently. Clinical cure rate 42 days after treatment was 100, 100, 42, 100 and 0% for group MH, ML3, ML2, T and C lambs, respectively (P < 0.01). After controlling for initial weight, treatment was found to have a significant effect on carcass weight (P < 0.01). Pairwise differences in lung lesion scores between any of the four treated groups and the untreated controls were significant (P < 0.02). It is concluded that marbofloxacin is effective against respiratory infections of lambs at a dose rate of 3.0 mg/kg bodyweight given on two occasions, once daily 2 days apart or at a dose rate of 2.0 mg/kg given on three occasions for three consecutive days.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)304-309
Number of pages6
JournalSmall Ruminant Research
Volume71
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Mannheimia haemolytica
  • Marbofloxacin
  • Mycoplasma
  • Pneumonia
  • Sheep

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Animals
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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